1. Ted Leo / Pharmacists - The Sons of Cain
A new Ted Leo album is always cause for celebration. This first single is terrific.

2. Bloc Party - The Once and Future King
Even better than their debut album.

3. Aterciopelados - Canción Protesta
Sorry Shakira, this is Colombia's best rock band.

4. Maximo Park - Our Velocity
Looking forward to hearing the rest of this British punk band's second album.

5. Brandtson - Earthquakes and Sharks
Veteran Cleveland band sounds a lot like Modest Mouse - in a good way.

6. Oxford Collapse - Let's Vanish
This album is first-rate; I know almost nothing about the band.

7. The Apples In Stereo - Energy
Good to have them back after 5 years.

8. Mika - Grace Kelly
Channeling Freddy Mercury.

9. Fountains of Wayne - Yolanda Hayes
More funny storytelling; love the horn section.

10. The Kooks - She Moves in Her Own Way
A great pop song from a young British band.

11. Lily Allen - LDN
She's a bit overrated, but this is an awesome song.

12. Melvern Taylor - Angel on My Shoulder
Who is this guy?

13. Bedroom Eyes - Dancing Under Influence
Irrestistible pop from a Swedish band.

14. KillGordon - No Word from Me
Fuzzy guitar from a guy from Atlanta.

15. Amy Winehouse - Rehab
Forget the backstory - it's a great song and she's got a great voice.

16. Arcade Fire - Antichrist Television Blues
What an incredible album they've just put out, though it's going to take a while to digest.

17. Jon Auer - Sundown
Sad but pretty pop from an ex-member of the fondly remembered Posies.

18. The Decemberists - Yankee Bayonet
So many songs to choose from on this record. This one recalls REM's "Green Grow the Rushes."

19. John Kastner - It's All Too Familiar
This album, from last year, deserved more attention than it got.

20. The Pernice Brothers - Somerville
More lush pop and smart lyrics from a very prolific Massachusetts (now Toronto) songwriter.

21. Bon Savants - Between the Moon and the Ocean
Very pretty. Don't know much about them.

22. Okkervil River - The President's Dead
Acoustic yet brutal, like Elliott Smith used to play, morphing into plugged-in pop like E.S. used to play.

23. Stars - Ageless Beauty (Most Serene Republic remix)
An acoustic, piano-driven mix, brings out the lush harmonies even more.